𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗡, m thames.

twenty one

chapter TWENTY ONE
this was them .

starr arrived on set the next morning, feeling different. she wasn't going to let ahliya get to her anymore, wasn't going to let mason's new co-star intimidate her or make her feel small. not today. the moment she stepped out of her car and walked toward the studio, she felt the shift. maybe it was the way she held her head a little higher, or the quiet determination in her eyes. whatever it was, she wasn't going to play the part of the girl on the sidelines anymore.

as soon as she got to the makeup trailer, ahliya was already there, lounging in a chair like she owned the place. she threw starr a dismissive glance before turning back to her phone. starr didn't mind. she wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

but of course, ahliya couldn't help herself. as starr settled into her own chair, ahliya's voice cut through the hum of activity around them.

"you know," she began, barely looking up, "some people just can't handle this level of work. it's hard to balance everything when you're... well, not built for it." the words were coated in saccharine sweetness, but the dig was clear.

starr caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled. not a real smile, but one that said *i see exactly what you're doing*. she turned slightly in her chair, glancing at ahliya. "you're right," starr replied smoothly, the corners of her mouth lifting just enough, "some of us are just too busy actually working to worry about who's getting attention for what. but hey, not everyone can multitask."

the makeup artist behind starr froze, a silent laugh caught in her throat, and the others around them exchanged amused glances. ahliya's face tightened, her fake smile faltering for the briefest moment.

starr turned back to her reflection, feeling that little burst of satisfaction. for the first time in weeks, she wasn't biting her tongue. she was owning her space.

out of the corner of her eye, she noticed mason leaning against the doorway of the trailer, arms folded. his gaze was on her, and there was something new there. not admiration, exactly. more like... amusement, maybe even a little pride. he smirked, and she could feel his eyes on her as she stood up, ready to head to set.

"nice work," he said casually as she passed by, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "didn't know you had it in you."

starr rolled her eyes but couldn't help the grin tugging at her lips. "please, i'm full of surprises."

"clearly." he pushed off the doorway, falling into step beside her. "i gotta admit, i'm impressed. usually, you're a bit more... quiet."

she shot him a sideways glance. "maybe i just needed the right motivation."

mason chuckled, shaking his head. "yeah, well, careful. ahliya's not used to being outsmarted. she might come after you with her claws out."

"let her," starr said, shrugging. "i'm not here to play high school games."

"could've fooled me," mason replied, his voice laced with that familiar teasing. "you've got some moves. i was almost scared for a second."

starr snorted, trying to hide her smile. "you? scared? please."

"i'm serious." mason's eyes twinkled with mock sincerity. "i was starting to think you were gonna throw a punch or something. i almost ducked."

"don't tempt me," starr shot back, but there was no bite in her voice. this was familiar. this was them.

as they walked toward set, mason's hand brushed hers for a second—a fleeting, accidental touch that neither of them acknowledged. but it was enough to remind her of everything that had happened between them. the kiss, the tension, the unspoken things hanging in the air.

and then ahliya walked by, her head held high, her eyes darting between the two of them. she threw starr a pointed look, clearly displeased that she hadn't gotten under her skin. starr just smiled sweetly.

"you know," she said, loud enough for ahliya to hear, "i really don't have time for people who think this is high school."

mason chuckled under his breath as ahliya stalked off, clearly fuming. "careful, starr," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "you keep that up and people might actually think you're fun."

starr laughed, shaking her head. "oh, please. like you ever doubted it."

mason tilted his head, pretending to consider it. "hmm. yeah, maybe a little."

"you're impossible," starr muttered, but there was no heat behind it. for the first time in a while, she felt... light. like things were finally getting back to normal between them.

as they reached the set, mason nudged her with his shoulder, his voice dropping into that teasing tone again. "seriously though, you should've warned me. i didn't know you had all that hiding in there."

starr rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face. "yeah, well, don't get too used to it."

"too late," mason said, grinning. "i kinda like it."

and just like that, things felt easy again. they weren't back to where they had been, not exactly, but they were getting there.

naya's notes
maaannnn i wonder what could possibly go wrong nowww 🙈🙈